Paul C. Chikezie, Okey A. Ojiako and Kanayo C. Nwufo
Medicinal plants have been used since ancient times for the treatment and management of diabetic mellitus (DM) in traditional medicine systems of many cultures throughout the world. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use medicinal plants for the management of DM and further encouraged the expansion of the frontiers of scientific evaluation of the hypoglycemic properties of diverse plant species. Accordingly, the hypoglycemic activity of a vast number of plant products have been evaluated and confirmed in animal models as well as in human beings. In some cases, the bioactive principles of the medical plants have been isolated and identified. In order to harness these natural resources and maximize the socioeconomic benefits derivable from Nigerian medicinal plants efforts should be geared toward research funding and deployment of Research and Development (R & D) policy framework into medicinal plants research endeavours.